Protection layer on a flexible substrate

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a flexible display screen, first and second display platforms, and a plurality of micro-beads. The flexible display screen is movably mounted to the first and second display platforms. The plurality of micro-beads is coated on the flexible display screen, and the plurality of micro-beads comprises a protective layer of increase hardness relative to the flexible display screen.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.14/615,130, entitled “Protection Layer on a Flexible Substrate,” filedon Feb. 5, 2015, which is assigned to the current assignee hereof and isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a protection layer on aflexible substrate.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements may varybetween different applications, information handling systems may alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as clinical healthcare data storage anddistribution, financial transaction processing, procurement, stockingand delivery tracking, provision of data services and software, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications.Information handling systems may include a variety of hardware andsoftware components that may be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and may include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems. Additionally, informationhandling systems may have two or more display platforms with one or moredisplay screens to output images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relativeto other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the presentdisclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings herein,in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an information handling system in an openposition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another diagram of the information handling system in the openposition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the information handling system in a closedposition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a cross section of a display screen during afirst step in a process for making the display screen with a flexibleprotection layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cross section of a display screen during asecond step in a process for making the display screen with a flexibleprotection layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cross section of a display screen during athird step in a process for making the display screen with a flexibleprotection layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachingsand should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings may be utilizedin this application, as well as in other applications and with severaldifferent types of architectures such as distributed computingarchitectures, client or server architectures, or middleware serverarchitectures and associated components.

Most businesses and other enterprises have sophisticated computingsystems used for facilitating internal operations and for storingsensitive data, protecting access to such data, and securelycommunicating outside the enterprise's network, for example to exchangeinformation with business partners, healthcare providers or similar dataexchange partners. These enterprise systems also interface withindividual users. Individual users also use sophisticated computingsystems to facilitate working software application contexts such asrunning office applications for database creation and word processing,note taking, accessing internet data applications, gaming, videoplayback entertainment, video and voice communications, email and otherelectronic communication, websurfing, music, mobile applications, andother media accesses. Much of present day information exchange isconducted electronically, via communications networks. Currently, a highdegree of media entertainment and other applications are utilized andaccessed electronically by users. Thus, there is an increased need forextended display capabilities to facilitate broad range of usageincluding to enable multitasking by users. Additionally, traditionalinformation handling system input devices such as keyboards and mousesystems are giving way to visual input interfaces such as touchscreens,hover detection, and motion sensing technologies. In many instances, itis substantially beneficial to implement a system with multiple displayplatforms having one or more display screens configurable in manyorientations to interact with an information handling system.

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system caninclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive,retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest,detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personalcomputer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device(e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g.,blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include random accessmemory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/orother types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of theinformation handling system may include one or more disk drives, one ormore network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse,touchscreen and/or a video display. The information handling system mayalso include one or more buses operable to transmit communicationsbetween the various hardware components.

Multiple display platform information handling systems may beconfigurable in a plurality of orientations for utilization of andinteraction with the information handling system. Hereinafter, the termsdual display screen information handling system or dual displayinformation handling systems, or dual display platform informationhandling system each may refer to devices with a single display screensuch as a flexible display that is layered over or mounted on all orpart of two or more display platforms, or each may refer to devices withtwo or more fully integrated display screens, or each may refer todevices with a plurality of separate display screens that are modularlyconnectable to the information handling system or to one another. Theterms screen or display screen may also refer to a portion of a singledisplay screen, such as a flexible display screen, with a plurality ofportions or to an individual display screen. Screens or display screensmay herein refer to portions of a display screen and may be mounted onor integrated into one or more display platforms. It is understood thatwhile two display platforms are disclosed in several embodiments herein,embodiments including a plurality of display platforms including threeor more display platforms in hinged relationship is also contemplatedfor the systems and methods disclosed herein. One of ordinary skillwould understand implementing the systems and method embodimentsdiscussed herein for these additional embodiments.

FIGS. 1-5 show an information handling system including two hingeddisplay platforms, a flexible display screen, and a protection layer.The flexible display screen includes two side regions, and a bendregion. In an embodiment, all or portions of the flexible displayscreen, such as the bend region, can be coated with the protectionlayer. In an embodiment, spaces between the micro-beads can besubstantially small enough to be undetectable by an individual during atactile touch of the flexible display screen. Thus, the size of themicro-beads and the spaces between the micro-beads can cause theprotective layer to have a smooth, glass-like feel when touched with afinger of an individual. In an embodiment, the micro-beads can belocated only in the bend region, and a continuous ceramic material canbe located within the side regions. In another embodiment, themicro-beads can be coated over the entire flexible display screen, e.g.,the side regions and the bend region, and fewer micro-beads can bedeposited within the bend region as compared to the side regions. Thefewer micro-beads in the bend region can increase the flexibility of theprotective layer within the bend region. In an embodiment, theprotection layer may be discontinuous, such that the protective layeronly includes micro-beads as a coating on the flexible display screen.In another embodiment, the protection layer may be continuous, such thatthe protective layer includes a plastic substrate coated on the flexibledisplay screen, and micro-beads that are deposited in the plasticsubstrate.

The micro-beads within the bend region can separate from one another toaccommodate a change in length in the protective layer as the flexibledisplay screen bends to form to the display platforms in the closedposition. In an embodiment, the separation of the micro-beads within thebend region is substantially small enough to be undetected by anindividual. Thus, the micro-beads of the protective layer have anincreased hardness as compared to the flexible display screen.Additionally, the plastic substrate of the protective layer can causethe protective layer to maintain the flexibility of the display screen.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a dual display platform informationhandling system 100 with two hinged display platforms 102 and 104according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the information handling system 100 includes displayplatforms 102 and 104, and a flexible display screen 106. The flexibledisplay screen 106 includes two side regions 110, and a bend region 112.

In an embodiment, display platforms 102 and 104 may include housings tocontain underlying electronics and power components of the informationhandling system 100. Accordingly for the described embodiment, housingsmay be used interchangeably with display platforms. In an embodiment,the flexible display screen 106, such as a flexible active-matrixorganic LED (AMOLED) display, may be mounted over or into displayplatforms 102 and 104. In the example embodiment, the display screen 106may be mounted to and supported by the display platforms 102 and 104.The mounted flexible display screen 106 may be movably mounted todisplay platforms 102 and 104. In other words, mounted flexible displayscreen 106 may be able to slide or otherwise move with respect to one orboth of the display platforms 102 and 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information handling system 100 is in alandscape page orientation, or open position, and the display platforms102 and 104 are substantially inline with each other. In an embodiment,the display screen 106 can include a protective layer, which in turn caninclude multiple micro-beads as shown in greater detail in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an information handling system 200 in an openposition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the information handling system 200 includes displayplatforms 202 and 204, and a flexible display screen 206. The flexibledisplay screen 206 includes side regions 210, and a bend region 212. Asillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2, all or portions of the flexibledisplay screen 206, such as the bend region 212, can be coated with aprotection layer 219 (as shown in the enlarged portion 218). In anembodiment, the protection layer 219 includes micro-beads 220. In someembodiments, the protection layer 219 includes the micro-beads 220, anda plastic substrate 221. In an embodiment, micro-beads 220 can beceramic nano-spheres, such as glass, and the size of the micro-beads canbe on the nanometer level. For example, the micro-beads may be less than15 microns in diameter, may be less than 10 microns in diameter, or thelike. In an embodiment, the micro-beads 220 can be discontinuous acrossthe surface of the flexible display screen 206. For example, spaces 222can be located between the micro-beads 220. However, the spaces 222between the micro-beads 220 can be substantially small enough to beundetectable by an individual during a tactile touch of the flexibledisplay screen 206. Thus, the size of the micro-beads 220 and the spaces222 between the micro-beads 220 can cause the protective layer 219 tohave a smooth, glass-like feel when touched with a finger of anindividual. In an embodiment, the micro-beads 220 can be closely boundto each other while the display platforms 202 and 204 of the informationhandling system 200 are in the open position.

In an embodiment, the micro-beads 220 can be located only in the bendregion 212, and a continuous glass or ceramic material can be locatedwithin the side regions 210. In another embodiment, the micro-beads 220can be coated over the entire flexible display screen 206, e.g., theside regions 210 and the bend region 212, and fewer micro-beads 220 canbe deposited within the bend region 212 as compared to the side regions210. The fewer micro-beads 220 in the bend region 212 can increase theflexibility of the protective layer 219 within the bend region 212. Theceramic composition of the micro-beads 220 can cause the protectivelayer 219 to have an increased hardness as compared to the flexibledisplay screen 206. For example, the flexible display screen 206 canhave a hardness rating of 3H, and the micro-beads 220 of the protectivelayer 219 can have a hardness rating of 7H. In an embodiment, theplastic substrate 221 and the spaces 222 between the micro-beads 220 canmaintain the flexibility of the flexible display screen 206. In anembodiment, the plastic substrate 221 can include polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), or a similar material. The protective layer 219 canalso increase a resistance of the flexible display screen 206 againstcorrosion, can prevent light reflection or refraction off of theflexible display screen 206, can increase a slipperiness of the flexibledisplay screen 206, or the like. In an embodiment, the plastic substrate221 can enable the micro-beads 220 within the bend region 212 toseparate from one another as the display platforms 202 and 204 rotatefrom the open position to a closed position as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an information handling system 300 in a closedposition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the information handling system 300 includes displayplatforms 302 and 304, and a flexible display screen 306. The flexibledisplay screen 306 includes side regions 310, and a bend region 312. Asillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the bend region 312 of theflexible display screen 306 can be coated with a protection layer 319(as shown in the enlarged portion 318). In an embodiment, the protectivelayer 319 can be discontinuous and include micro-beads 320. In anotherembodiment, the protective layer 319 can be continuous and include themicro-beads 320 and a plastic substrate 321. In an embodiment, themicro-beads 320 can be discontinuous across the bend region 312. Forexample, spaces 322 can be located between the micro-beads 320.

As shown in the enlarged portion 318, the micro-beads 320 within thebend region 312 separate from one another to accommodate a change inlength in the protective layer 319 as the flexible display screen 306bends to form to the display platforms 302 and 304 in the closedposition. In an embodiment, the separation of the micro-beads 320 withinthe bend region 312 is substantially small enough to be undetected by anindividual. As described above, the size of the micro-beads is on thenanometer level, such that even as the micro-beads separate from oneanother the surface of the protective layer 319 remains smooth to thetouch. Therefore, the micro-beads 320 of the protective layer 319 cancause the protective layer 319 to have an increased hardness as comparedto the flexible display screen 306. The plastic substrate 321 of theprotective layer 319 can maintain the flexibility of the display screen306.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a cross section of a flexible display screenduring a first step 400 in a process for making the flexible displayscreen with a flexible protection layer according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. As discussed above, the flexible display screen406 can be a flexible active-matrix organic LED (AMOLED) display. Afterthe flexible display screen 406 is formed, a touch sensitive layer canbe deposited as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cross section of a flexible display screenduring a second step 500 in the process for making the display screenwith a flexible protection layer according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the flexible displayscreen 506 is coated with a touch sensitive layer 507. In thisembodiment, the touch sensitive layer 507 can be a capacitive or acompression touch layer. For example, the touch sensitive layer 507 candetect touch inputs in response to a capacitive change that results froman individual placing his or her finger on the touch sensitive layer507, or can detect touch inputs in response to a compression of thetouch sensitive layer 507 caused by an individual pressing his or herfinger or a stylus on the touch sensitive layer 507. In an embodiment,both the flexible display screen 506 and the touch sensitive layer 507are capable of being bent and flexed without breaking as displayplatforms rotate between the open and closed positions. However, theflexible display screen 506 and the touch sensitive layer 507 can besusceptible to damage based on the softness of the flexible displayscreen 506 and the touch sensitive layer 507. Thus, the flexible displayscreen 506 and the touch sensitive layer 507 can be coated with aprotective layer as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cross section of a flexible display screenduring a third step 600 in the process for making a display screen witha flexible protection layer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the flexible display screen 606 iscoated with a touch sensitive layer 607, which in turn is coated with aprotective layer 619. In an embodiment, the coating of touch sensitivelayer 607 includes: first depositing a plastic substrate 621; and thendepositing multiple micro-beads 620 on the plastic substrate. In anotherembodiment, the coating of touch sensitive layer 607 includes depositingmultiple micro-beads 620 on the touch sensitive layer 607. In anembodiment, the flexible display screen 606 and touch sensitive layer607 can be incorporated into one component such that the protectivelayer is deposited on the flexible display screen 606. In an embodiment,the micro-beads 620 can be deposited on the flexible display screen 606without the plastic substrate first being deposited.

In an embodiment, the micro-beads 620 can be a ceramic material, such asglass, and the micro-beads can be deposited in the plastic substrate 621to strengthen the protective layer 619. In this embodiment, thecombination of the micro-beads 620 being deposited on the flexibledisplay screen 606 and the touch sensitive layer 607 can cause theprotective layer to have an increased hardness as compared to theflexible display screen 606 and the touch sensitive layer 607. Theplastic substrate 621 can enable the protective layer 619 to bend withthe flexible display screen 606 and the touch sensitive layer 607 duringthe rotation of the display platforms.

In an embodiment, the micro-beads 620 can be deposited on the plasticsubstrate 619 in different concentrations depending on the region of theflexible display screen 606. For example, the micro-beads 620 can beheavily concentrated on the side regions 610 of the flexible displayscreen 606 and less concentrated in the bend region 612 of the flexibledisplay screen 606. In this embodiment, the lesser concentration of themicro-beads 620 within the bend region 612 can increase the flexibilityof the protective layer 619 in this region as compared to the sideregions 610. In an embodiment, the micro-beads 620 can be nano-spheresthat can be sized on the nanometer level, and the micro-beads 620 can bedeposited substantially close to one another to provide a smooth,glass-like, feel to the protective layer 619 when an individual touchesthe protective layer. In an embodiment, the micro-beads 620 can bedeposited only in the bend region 612, and a continuous glass or ceramicmaterial can be deposited on the side regions 610. The micro-beads 620in the protective layer 619 can protect the flexible display screen 606,and provide a smooth feel. The plastic substrate 621 in the protectivelayer 619 can enable the protective layer 619 to bend without breaking.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailherein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover any andall such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fallwithin the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system comprising: a flexible display screen; the flexible display screen movably mounted to a display platform wherein the flexible display screen may bend at a bend region; and a plurality of micro-beads coated across the bend region on the flexible display screen, wherein the plurality of micro-beads comprises a protective layer of increased hardness relative to the flexible display screen.
 2. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein a concentration of the plurality of micro-beads varies depending on the bend region of the flexible display screen.
 3. The information handling system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of micro-beads have a lower concentration within the bend region of the flexible display screen as compared to a side region of the flexible display screen.
 4. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein protective layer is discontinuous.
 5. The information handling system of claim 1, further comprising: the protective layer includes a plastic substrate operatively coupled between the flexible display screen and the micro-beads, wherein the plastic substrate provides flexibility to the protective layer.
 6. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein a distance between the micro-beads increases in response to bending in the bend region.
 7. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein a small size of the micro-beads and a small separation between the micro-beads enable the protective layer to feel substantially smooth.
 8. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein a continuous glass of the protective layer is deposited on a side region, and the plurality of micro-beads are deposited on the bend region.
 9. An information handling system comprising: a flexible display screen; a display platform, the flexible display screen movably mounted to the display platform; a protective layer coated across the flexible display screen, the protective layer including: a plurality of micro-beads, wherein the plurality of micro-beads of the protective layer have an increased a hardness relative to the flexible display screen; and a plastic substrate operatively coupled between the plurality of micro-beads and the flexible display screen, wherein the plastic substrate maintains the flexibility of the flexible display screen.
 10. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein a concentration of the plurality of micro-beads varies depending on a bend region of the flexible display screen.
 11. The information handling system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of micro-beads have a lower concentration within the bend region of the flexible display screen as compared to a side region of the flexible display screen.
 12. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein a distance between the micro-beads increases in response to bending of the display screen.
 13. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein a small size of the micro-beads and a small separation between the micro-beads enable the protective layer to feel substantially smooth.
 14. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein a diameter of the micro-beads are less than fifteen microns.
 15. A method of forming a flexible display screen having a protective layer within an information handling system, the method comprising: providing a flexible display screen wherein the flexible display screen may bend at a bend region; and depositing a plurality of micro-beads on the flexible display screen, as a coating across the bend region, wherein the plurality of micro-beads have an increased hardness relative to the flexible display screen.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: depositing a continuous glass on a side region of the flexible display screen, wherein the plurality of micro-beads are deposited on the bend region of the flexible display screen.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein depositing the plurality of micro-beads comprises: depositing a first portion of the plurality of micro-beads at a first concentration level on a first bend region of the flexible display screen; and depositing a second portion of the plurality of micro-beads at a second concentration level on a second bend region of the flexible display screen.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first concentration level is higher than the second concentration level.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: depositing a plastic substrate on the flexible display screen prior to depositing the plurality of micro-beads.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein a small size of the micro-beads and a small separation between the micro-beads enable a surface of the micro-beads to feel substantially smooth. 